Brick grab



, Dec, 2%, 1949 R. A. FONTAINE 2,491,305

BRICK GRAB Filed June 10, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 e L W k r 3 WW Wm N QM 3 0 NW N A WW M KN M E 5 ll Ill N @w .mwi fi Tw fi M w WW m M 3 3i 3 w w w ,1 I N I w u" Wm Wm um 1\L l l I: F WW. -WN.\ F I f fl IINIMW :0 p F 1. r :H v l n" Mm WW m m m m Y 1 fiU R mm, w WN A M M m E l m .1 r a I" l I I z. 1 H u I 2 2 \Z I l g QW N R N MT E %N r v MN QW N N m mmw ww wwwmww ii NN I l l ld\lllllw\llll Nl WW MW WW atented ec. 20, 1949 S TAT E S ATIENT OFFICE 8 Claims. ll

This invention pertains to a brick grab and more particularly to a fork type thereof capable of being engaged with or disengaged from a power elevator tractor.

An object of the invention is the provision of an improved brick grab arranged to clasp a hack of bricks, cinder blocks and the like adjacent its lower extremity and the loaded brick grab being further arranged to be elevated from the ground by a power tractor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in a brick grab, an improved, simple and sturdy operating means for firmly and positively clasping a hack of bricks, cinder blocks and the like.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of rotatable jaws arranged to engage a hack of bricks and urged about fixed axes by hydraulically operated means.

The above and numerous other objects will become apparent from the succeeding description considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of a form of a brick grab embodying the present invention.

. Figure 2 is a plan view of the brick grab illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the brick grab shown in Figure 1 and taken along the lines 33 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a front elevational View of another species of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the brick grab shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 'l1 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 through 4 thereof, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts, the numeral is employed to designate, in a somewhat general manner, a portable brick grab embodying a form of the present invention. The term brick grab is employed herein throughout merely for convenience since it will be clearly understood that the illustrated grabs can be equally as well employed to be associated with a hack of cinder blocks, cement blocks or the like. The brick grab I of this first to be considered species of the invention is arranged to engage or be disengaged from a hack of bricks 2 having a lower course 3 indented or relieved as at l for the accommodation of certain hereinafter described components of the grab. As will be appreciated the undercuts 4 need not necessarily appear in a hack since the hack may have sides 5 formed by a continuously straight line from top to bottom without impairing the operability or utility of the grab.

The present structure comprises a bulkhead, back board or rear wall 6 made up by a front plate 1 arranged to be moved into contact with and afford a surface bearing for a rear face 8 of the hack. Spaced horizontally from the front plate is a rear "plate 9 formed by an upper sheet I!) and a. lower sheet ll both of which are in vertical alignment but are desirably spaced apart for the purpose to be hereinafter made apparent. At or near the four corners of the bulkhead there are conveniently spaced bearings or nipples l2 which are desirably welded to the associated front and rear plates to form integral parts thereof and so as to form two upper bearings l 20: in alignment with two lower bearings l2b. Extending horizontally between each set of horizontally aligned upper and lower bearings is a stifiening or gusset plate 13 which is secured by means of welds (not shown) to the front and rear plates and additionally join the latter more securely.

The present grab is of a type more particularly adaptable for connection to a power lift tractor of commercial design and shown in outline in Figure 3 only by diagrammatic lines: for the purpose of illustration only. That is to say when it is desired to employ the fork type grab to transport a hack of bricks from one location .to another the grab is hitched to or suspended from a power lift tractor and with suitable and simple hydraulic connections being made the unit is made ready for use. Forming a connection between the grab and tractor is a shelf, ledge, bail, hook or detachably securing means M comprising an angle-shaped member extending horizontally and transversely of the grab and having a horizontal leg I5 extending into the bulkhead between the upper and lower sheets. A reinforcing bar 56 overlaps and forms a continuation of the horizontal leg to extend to and engage the front plate to be secured thereto by means of 'welds l'l. Welds l8 also secure the horizontal leg to the upper and lower sheets so as to form a part thereof. Extending vertically or downwardly from an outer or free extremlty of the horizontal leg is a vertical leg is which, by being spaced from the lower sheet, forms or presents a pocket therebetween. All that is required to assemble the present fork grab with a power lift tractor is to hook the shelf on a dashboard or buckboard 2! of the tractor so that the dashboard extends into the receiving pocket 28 and any vertical movement of the dashboard will be reflected in the fork grab.

Forming operable or movable components of the fork grab is a pair of rotatable members, cylindrical shafts or axles or rotatable means 22 spaced transversely of the grab and extending in a vertical direction. Each axle is positioned ad jacent to a transverse limit of the grab to extend through the bulkhead and associated or vertically aligned upper and lower bearings i261 and 122) respectively. Each axle is arranged to rotate about its axis in accommodating bearings and has a lower portion thereof flattened as at Firmly secured to each lower flattened portion of each axle or rotating means by means of welds 24 is a lower arm or lower member 25 extending in a horizontal direction away from the bulkhead preferably in a direction normal or perpendicular thereto. The free extremities of each arm terminate in a, hub 25 about or approximately midway of the length of the hack of bricks and pivotally secured to this hub is a tine, beam or clamping means 2'! desirably of I-shape in cross section so that the hub may extend to within the confines of the beam. A pin or pintle Zla is employed as the pivotal means flexibly connecting each beam and arm and as will be noted each beam is connected to the end of an arm intermediate its end so that any forces transmitted to the beam will be substantially equally distributed on each side of the pintle. Since the beam extends horizontally for the full length of a hack of bricks and being desirably of less height than the height of an ordinary brick it will fit nicely within the undercut 4. The beams are, as above indicated, in horizontal alignment with the lower course 3 of the hack of bricks and associated with or secured to each beam is a cushion, resilient or 001m pressible means or rubber pad 23 fitting within an inwardly facing channel 29 of each beam and fastened thereto by any desired means such as the illustrated bolts 30. Because the rubber pad is of greater thickness than the depth of the accommodating channel a portion of the cushion projects beyond the limits of an accommodating beam and thus when the beams are urged toward one another the pads will contact the hack lower course and be compressed to firmly clamp the lower course therebetween.

In order that the beams may have an open effect so as to be in a position when disengaged from a hack of bricks to be guided into a position where they may successfully engage the lower course, spring means are incorporated in the grab. These spring means are characterized by a pair of leaf springs 3|, each one of which has one end 32 thereof firmly secured to a tongue 33 extending forwardly from a free end of each arm. A clip 34 is secured to said beam in spaced relation to a related pintle and this clip overlies a related end of a leaf spring so that the forward or leading ends of the beams will be urged c0nstantly apart by the action of the leaf springs and so the beams will be when removed from a hack of bricks, disposed at an angle to one another always in position to be guided into overlapping or embracing relation with a hack of bricks.

Operating means has been incorporated in the fork grab to rotate the axles and as exemplary of such a means each axle has associated therewith a thimble or collar 35 keyed or otherwise secured to the axle so as to move therewith and superimposed upon a related upper bearing Ho. The upper end of each axle is of reduced section and threaded as at 36 and over this reduced section is sleeved a washer 31 which bears directly upon a subjacent collar. A nut or any rotatable member 38 is threadedly associated with each reduced axle extremity so as to clamp the collar between a related collar and washer. Welded to each collar so as to form an integral part thereof is an angle-shaped top arm, extension or brace 39 which extends in a direction substantially parallel to the lower member 25, that is to say, away from the bulkhead. stiffening each upper arm against stresses to which it will be subjected in service is a plate-like cross brace 40 having one end welded to a related thimble 35 and another end welded to the upper arm. As previously stated, each upper arm is angle-shaped in cross section to thereby present a horizontal inwardly extending leg ll and a vertical or upwardly extending leg 52. Adjacent an outer extremity of each upper arm there is secured to the vertical leg thereof a clip it which is parallel to the horizontal leg to form therewith an inwardly facing jaw. Disposed within and pin connected to each jaw is an extremity of a hydraulic means or cylinder it provided with inlet and outlet ports which are in communication with the hydraulic system (not shown) of the power tractor. Any movement of the piston 46 into and out of the cylinder ll will result in a rotary action of the journals 22 about their respective axes and a spreading or approaching action of the cushioned beams.

Referring now in detail to Figures 5 through 8 of the drawings, wherein a second species of the invention is illustrated, the reference character 5% is employed to designate, in a general manner,

the entire fork brick grab. This design comprises a bulkhead or back board or rear wall 5! ineluding a front plate 52 also arranged to be moved into surface bearing relation with a rear face 53 of a hack of bricks 54, blocks or the like. Spaced horizontally from the front plate is a rear plate 55 which is desirably parallel with the front plate. lhe front and rear plates are preferably reinforced by means of inner bars 55 which extend horizontally and are conveniently spaced vertically to present a set of lower bars 56a and a set of intermediate bars 561). The front and rear plates are joined by means of vertically spaced, horizontally directed upper and lower stiffening or gusset plates 5? and 510. respectively which terminate short of the transverse limits of the bulkhead. Positioned within the bulkhead transversely thereof is a pair of rotatable members or shafts 58 each of which is journaled intermediate its ends on horizontal pins 59, the latter of which are supported by the front and. rear plates at the areas reinforced by the intermediate bars 56b. As will be clearly understood, the shafts may either rotate about the pins 59 or if preferred the shafts and pins may be formed as integral units but in either event the shafts will be arranged to rotate or pivot about fixed axes extending horizontally and transversely of the bulk-.

head. In the present structure the shafts are formed rectangular in cross section with the up per limits as thereof terminating short of the upper end of the bulkhead and the lower limits ill thereof extending downwardly below or beyond the lower end of the bulkhead. The lower extremity of each shaft is provided with a bifurcated bulb 62 which is arranged to engage the lower stiffening plate to limit a rotary motion of the shaft in one direction and to limit a pivotal movement of the shaft in another or opposite cli-' rection there is provided a key or bolt bridging the distance between the front and rear eets to extend transversely of the bulkhead and arranged to enter the lubricated portion of the bulb.

Firmly secured to the lower extremity iii of each shaft by means of welds 64 is a lower arm or member 65 extending horizontally from the shaft preferably in a direction normal or perpendicular to the bulkhead longitudinally of the grab. Each arm desirably terminates in a hub 65d approxi mately midway of the length of the hack of bricks and pivotally secured to this hub is a tine, beam or clamping means 56 desirably of I configuration in cross section. Like its counterpart in the previously described structure each beam of this specie is pivoted intermediate its ends and is provided with a cushion or rubber pad or means 67 for direct contact with a lower course of bricks of a hack. Also each beam of the present structure is, when removed from association with a hack of bricks, urged at an angle to its companion beam by means of a leaf spring or and accordingly the beams have their leading ends spread apart so that no other means is required to insure the proper positioning of the beams as a fork grab is guided into a position to clasp a hack of bricks.

Secured to the upper limit 60 of each shaft is a jaw 59 formed integrally therewith and facing and opening inwardly of the bulkhead. Extending between and pin connected to the pair of jaws is a hydraulic means or cylinder 70 housing suitable connections H which lead to or communicate with a hydraulic system or pump of a power lift tractor (not shown) such as in the previously described structure. A movement of a piston 72 inwardly or outwardly of a casing 13 of the cylinder will be reflected in a pivotal action of the shafts to urge the beam carried cushions into or out of engagement with a hack lower course. Also, as in the previously described structure, the presently considered species is provided with a shelf, ledge, hook or detachably securing means i l firmly secured to the back sheet of the bulkhead by means of welds 75 and presenting a downwardly opening pocket 16 into which may extend a buckboard or dashboard T! of a power tractor and through which the fork grab may be moved in a vertical direction during the process of moving a hack of bricks from one location to another.

From the above it will be noted that Various changes and alterations may be made to the illustrated and described construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a brick grab arranged for connection to an elevator tractor, the combination of, an upright back board, a hook-like shelf secured to and outstanding from said back board for attaching said brick grab to said tractor, transversely spaced rotatable means carried by said back board and arranged for movement about fixed axes, a single horizontal hydraulic means interposed between and connected to said first named means for moving the latter about their axes, an arm on each means extending horizontally away from said back board, brick contacting means extending the full length of a hack of bricks and being pivoted to associated arms, and spring means holding said last named means at an angle to one another when said brick grab is disengaged from a hack of bricks.

2. In a brick grab arranged for connection to an elevator tractor, the combination of, an upright back board defining one end of said brick grab, a downwardly opening hook means secured to and outstanding from said back board for attaching said brick grab to said tractor,

spaced means partially within said back. board and arranged for movement about fixed axes, a single selectively controlled means acting horizontally on and carried by said spaced means for moving the latter about their axes, an arm outstanding from each of said spaced means and secured rigidly thereto, cushion carrying beams arranged to extend along lower limits of a hack of bricks, and pivot means connecting extremities of said arms to intermediate portions of said beams.

3. In a brick grab arranged for connection to an elevator tractor, the combination of, a bulkhead defining one end of said brick grab, horizontally spaced shafts journaled in said bulkhead,

horizontal top arms secured to upper extremities of said shafts, hydraulic means pivotally connected to ends of said arms for imparting rotary motion to said shafts, horizontal bottom arms secured to said shafts, a beam extending along each lower edge of said brick grab, and pin means connecting an end of each bottom arm to an intermediate portion of an associated beam.

4. In a brick grab arranged for connection to an elevator tractor, the combination of, a bulkhead defining one end of said brick grab, hori zontally spaced shafts journaled in said bulkhead, horizontal top arms secured to upper extremities of said shafts, hydraulic means pivotally connected to ends of said arms for imparting rotary motion to said shafts, horizontal bottom arms secured to said shafts and normally extending at right angles to said bulkhead, a continuous beam extending along each lower edge of said brick grab, pin means connecting an end of each bottom arm to an intermediate portion of an associated beam, and cushion means carried by each beam.

5. In a brick grab arranged for connection to an elevator tractor, the combination of, a bulkhead defining one end of said brick grab, hori zontally spaced shafts journaled in said bulkhead, horizontal top arms secured to upper extremities of said shafts, hydraulic means pivotally connected to ends of said arms for imparting rotary motion to said shafts, horizontal bottom arms secured to said shafts, a beam extending along each lower edge of said brick grab, pin means connecting an end of each bottom arm to an intermediate portion of an associated beam, and spring means associated with said beams for holding leading ends of said beams apart when said brick grab is disengaged from a hack of bricks.

6. In a brick grab arranged for connection to an elevator tractor, the combination of, a bulkhead defining one end of said brick grab, hook means secured to said bulkhead for hanging said brick grab from said tractor, horizontally spaced shafts pivoted intermediate their ends to said bulkhead, hydraulic means interposed between upper ends of said shafts for urging the latter about their pivots, means carried by said bulkhead for limit ing said pivotal movement of said shafts, rigid horizontal means carried by lower extremities of said shaft and extending beyond said bulkhead, and transversely spaced beams pivoted intermediate their ends to ends of said rigid horizontal means.

7. In a brick grab arranged for connection to an elevator tractor, the combination of, a bulkhead defining one end of said brick grab, hook means secured to said bulkhead for hanging said brick grab from said tractor, horizontally spaced shafts pivoted intermediate their ends to said bulkhead, hydraulic means interposed between upper ends of said shafts for urging the latter about their pivots, means carried by said bulkhead for limiting said movement of said shafts, rigid horizontal means carried by lower extremities of said shaft and extending beyond said bulkhead, transversely spaced beams pivoted intermediate their ends to ends of said rigid horizontal means, and cushion rubber means carried by said rigid horizontal means for directly contacting a lower course of bricks in a hack.

8. In a brick grab arranged for connection to an elevator tractor, the combination of, a bulkhead defining one end of said brick grab, hook means secured to said bulkhead for hanging said brick grab from said tractor, horizontally spaced shafts pivoted intermediate their ends to said 8, bulkhead, hydraulic means interposed between upper ends of said shafts for urging the latter about their pivots, means carried by said bulkhead for limiting said pivotal movement of said shafts, rigid horizontal means carried by lower extremities of said shaft and extending beyond said bulkhead, transversely spaced beams pivoted intermediate their ends to ends of said rigid horizontal means, inner compressible means carried by said rigid horizontal means, and spring means for maintaining said beams at an angle to one another when said brick grab is disengaged from a hack of bricks.

ROBERT A. FONTAINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 976,393 Penfield Nov. 22, 1910 1,401,429 Moone Dec. 27, 1921 1,649,343 Fuller Nov, 15, 1927 1,833,545 Wehr Nov. 24, 1931 2,178,369 Dunham Oct. 31, 1939 2,250,273 Priester July 22, 1941 2,323,810 Fontaine July 6, 1943 2,403,356 Francis July 2, 1946 2,441,750 Britton May 18, 1948 

